Anthea Turner

How I See It...

Hello,

I might be a little early with this, but yesterday I put my nose out, sniffed the air and said to myself, “It’s time.” Time to get the jet wash out and clean up our two patio areas. They’re not big, but boy, do I adore them. Every pot is a pot of love and not one inch is taken for granted. The same went for the flat I used to live in. My balcony was therapy; every morning without fail, wind, rain or sunshine I’d open the doors, breathe in fresh air and be grateful for the space. Looking round, a few plants I need to say goodbye to; they’ve done the job but now they need to make way for others. The patio/ balcony mindset is different to a garden one – you have to be ruthless.

This is a little reminder to always make the best of everything in your home and the area around it. My window ledges outside are as important to me as the ones inside and our patio I treat like another room. It just happens to be outside.

An Inspiring Entrance

Then there’s the front door. Wiping it down, polishing its brass knob and making sure the plant I look at when I put my key in the lock is one that lifts my spirits, are all massively important to me. And when I look down at my feet, I don’t want to see a mat that’s threadbare and dirtier than the bottom of my shoes. A fresh, clean mat says that the person on the other side of that door cares.

To some, all these little things may sound nonsense. But collectively, believe me, they lift your spirits.

If the key to happiness is to wake up with purpose, pleasure and something to look forward to, plants bring that to the party. My purpose is to look after them; they definitely give me pleasure; and I look forward to watching them bloom.

If you’re green fingered already, we are sisters in our thoughts. But if not, I recommend making it a project. Clean it, tidy it and nurture it because the rewards are coming right back at you. You might have a good local garden centre, but if not and you don’t have transport, there are quality plants at competitive prices if you search around on the internet. I’ve done well over the years with Gardening Express. They do small and large orders and I’ve used them to send plants as gifts.

Finally, because I’m a softie even with plants, my idea of being “ruthless” is taking pot-bound plants that have served their “patio” purpose to my dad’s. There they can spread free in the care of the man who’s taught me everything I know about gardening.

Love, Anthea X